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3.4 AVERAGE
3.4 AVERAGE
This one was a roller coaster. I started off loving it, found many beautifully written moments and relatable quotes, the plot was being slowly introduced and I had very high expectations. It was a journey of getting to know the authors style (I’ve read only the Alchemist a few years ago and I vaguely remember I loved the story, yet didn’t remember much about his writing style) and also getting to discover myself (not in the religious way, but in a more philosophical one). But I got lost at some point, and went through many pages hoping to get to some action. It didn’t help that my copy was randomly missing 30 pages, a mistake of some sort of those who printed the edition. Anyways, I was already set on giving it 3 stars but the plot twist at the end made me close my eyes for a second and had me completely off guard. I wasn’t expecting it. That’s why I’m giving it 4 ⭐️ (but it’s more like 3.5).
challenging
informative
inspiring
mysterious
reflective
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
There's only so many times you can imply that the main character is mystical before it just gets boring. I feel like the book started off strong but then somewhere along the way the author lost ahold of the narrative. There are some parts of this book that feel unnecessary and out of place. Overall felt like a waste of time
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Actual rating: 3.5 stars
My review: https://prettyerudite.wordpress.com/2015/10/15/the-witch-of-portobello-by-paulo-coelho/
My review: https://prettyerudite.wordpress.com/2015/10/15/the-witch-of-portobello-by-paulo-coelho/
mysterious
reflective
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
reflective
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Loveable characters:
No
I might have enjoyed the book more if I didn't find myself HATING Athena so damn much. As soon as she said "I've learned to suffer in silence" I was done with her. There's probably some hidden deeper spiritually enlightened meaning in there, but until I figure out what that is I hate this book.
emotional
hopeful
informative
inspiring
reflective
medium-paced
The Witch of Portobello by Paulo Coelho is not my typical read, but I managed to binge through it and thoroughly enjoy it.
I like stepping outside of my comfort zone when I read, which often leads me to picking out really "odd" books that I would never touch. The Witch of Portobello was one of them. I read the synopsis and thought... Yeah, not my kind of book, but it sounds VERY intriguing. I decided to grab it and I don't regret it at all. This book moved fast enough and was all over the map, and had me really engaged and curious about where it was going. The mysterious story but contemporary tale was such a refreshing read for me, and I'm glad I read it.
Am I jumping over the moon about this book? No, because it's not my normal read. But it's such a fluid piece of art that I can smile and say it was a great book. I really have no idea how this book worked so well, when it was all about a woman having the courage to be herself. Our lead, Athena, becomes enlightened to be the form of a female deity. Yet, this book isn't fantasy at all but at the same time is... It's such a marvelously odd but delightful book. I needed a female empowerment book that wasn't as in your face like the Barbie movie is (which, by the way, is an AMAZING movie and that's not a shot at it at all - I love that movie).
Overall, this is a book focused on self-reflection and is beautiful. I loved it.
Four out of five stars.
I like stepping outside of my comfort zone when I read, which often leads me to picking out really "odd" books that I would never touch. The Witch of Portobello was one of them. I read the synopsis and thought... Yeah, not my kind of book, but it sounds VERY intriguing. I decided to grab it and I don't regret it at all. This book moved fast enough and was all over the map, and had me really engaged and curious about where it was going. The mysterious story but contemporary tale was such a refreshing read for me, and I'm glad I read it.
Am I jumping over the moon about this book? No, because it's not my normal read. But it's such a fluid piece of art that I can smile and say it was a great book. I really have no idea how this book worked so well, when it was all about a woman having the courage to be herself. Our lead, Athena, becomes enlightened to be the form of a female deity. Yet, this book isn't fantasy at all but at the same time is... It's such a marvelously odd but delightful book. I needed a female empowerment book that wasn't as in your face like the Barbie movie is (which, by the way, is an AMAZING movie and that's not a shot at it at all - I love that movie).
Overall, this is a book focused on self-reflection and is beautiful. I loved it.
Four out of five stars.